Always on
This project successfully funded on 5th June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Norfolk Children's Book Centre: Support our Move!
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Aim
Help us to move our beloved children’s bookshop to a new location for our 40th year, and ensure the future of NCBC for generations to come.
About Norfolk Children’s Book Centre
Norfolk Children’s Book Centre (NCBC) is an award-winning children’s bookshop, nestled in the heart of rural North Norfolk. Opened by children’s librarian Marilyn Brocklehurst nearly 40 years ago, the shop evolved through her love of children’s books. NCBC began with a couple of boxes of books in a tiny office in the garden, and grew to a large shop and office space, with extra parts built as the business expanded in popularity and scope. Over the years, countless authors and illustrators have visited us and signed our famous walls, including Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, Liz Pichon, Cressida Cowell and Jackie Morris. It is rare that a day goes by without exclamations of amazement and “wow”s as children enter the shop, stacked from floor to ceiling with tens of thousands of children’s books. Most of our visitors agree that NCBC is a special and unforgettable place, and many have brought their children and grandchildren to experience the shop - passed down through the generations like a much loved book.
“Entering the NCBC is like stepping into a time-machine, a far-away galaxy and a wildwood, all rolled into one. For four decades it has helped create, shape and inspire readers young and old, born of passion and propelled by imagination. The gift of reading for pleasure is one of the greatest any child can be given: it flings wide the wonder-world of books, and is also a significant driver of social mobility. For all of these reasons, please consider supporting this one-of-a-kind institution: a real jewel in the crown of Norfolk and the region.” - Robert Macfarlane, Author
NCBC Team Members Chris and Annie with Robert Macfarlane (centre)
Marilyn’s passion for children’s books and her ability to inspire and influence thousands of teachers and parents throughout her incredible career is renowned around the UK and beyond. Her team supported her every step of the way, eager to help spread the joy of reading and books to children and families.
Since Marilyn stepped back 18 months ago, the business has been run by Marilyn’s son Matt and his partner Annie. We continue to run the business in the time-honoured way: welcoming all who come through our door with an offer of personalised recommendations and free refreshments.
NCBC Founder Marilyn Brocklehurst, and bookshop managers Matt and Annie
“Norfolk Children's Book Centre has been at the heart of the region's book community for 40 years, providing a meticulous and inspirational service in every aspect of the reading lives of children. A driving force in creating the ideal conditions for reading for pleasure to blossom, from hosting events, to providing vital services to schools and libraries, the award-winning work of Marilyn Brocklehurst and her team has been foundational in developing readers - one reader, one classroom, one school at a time. New premises, at a milestone age, and in the National Year of Reading, signals an exciting new chapter for the bookshop, and one which has our full admiration and support. Bon chance!” - Peggy Hughes, CEO, National Centre for Writing
NCBC Team Members Kate, Kirsty & Lynn
Those who visit the shop or see us out at a school or conference will know our team members by name. Tina, who loves shelving and finding countless books on any given subject request sent her way. Lynn, who has an eye for quality children's literature and can turn huge collections for our pop-up bookshops around with immense skill. Chris, who joined us as our delivery driver and has ended up, very cheerfully, doing everything else, from library rejuvenations to school sales to conference bookshops. Kirsty, with her encyclopaedic knowledge of YA fiction and more, and her ability to read several hundred books per year. Jane, keeping a close eye on the diary bookings and masterfully liaising with teachers, authors, publishers and everyone else in between. Kate, our lovely storyteller and favourite of all small children who visit the shop.
NCBC Team Members Jane, Tina & Chris
The Move
We now have the challenge of moving the bookshop premises - Marilyn and her husband Simon have decided to sell the property in order to downsize and fully enjoy their retirement. We have struck upon a great location at just the right time and we are excited to announce that the bookshop will move to Wroxham Barns this summer!
Wroxham Barns is an award-winning family attraction, located next to the beautiful Norfolk Broads, with a farm, play area, cafe, shopping village, car park and much more. For those who would like to find out more about Wroxham Barns please visit their website.
Ian Russell, Owner of Wroxham Barns, says “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Norfolk Children’s Book Centre to Wroxham Barns this summer. As a much-loved, independent business with 40 years of history, their move from Alby marks an exciting new chapter, and we’re proud to be part of that journey. Their passion for inspiring young readers and families perfectly complements what we offer here at Wroxham Barns, and we know they will be a fantastic addition for our younger visitors. We’re looking forward to seeing them thrive in their new home and to the joy they will bring to so many families.”
Ian Russell, Owner of Wroxham Barns
Our New Bookshop
Our new shop will comprise of two existing units that will be transformed into one unit and redecorated to make it ready for us to welcome everyone in the summer months.
We plan to use this unique opportunity to create a vibrant and inclusive new space for NCBC which will be accessible to all and beautifully decorated with new shelving units, carpet, furniture, fixtures and fittings. We will have a new office space with a loading and delivery entrance for packing and unpacking our vans. We fully intend to offer all of the services our customers love about NCBC - we are dedicated to the vision of the shop as a family-friendly space where everyone is encouraged to browse and read at their leisure, and enjoy books together. We know that the experience of our bookshop is unique, and some of that experience is due to its current location. But our bookshop is more than a cottage in the countryside - it is the lovely and knowledgeable people who work here to help you find the best books, the relaxed and friendly feeling inside, and the incredible collection of brilliant books you will always find on the shelves.
And don’t worry - these guys are coming with us...
The most loved toys in the shop!
How YOU can help us
As well as the upheaval of moving our treasured bookshop to a new location, and all of the responsibilities that come with that, we need to raise the funds to cover the costs that come with creating a new shop. We also need to continue running our busy bookshop, with our current commitments to schools and other customers, whilst we prepare to move. We are asking you, our wonderful customers and friends, to help us with our move and to ensure the future of our bookshop. After our move in premises, we will be celebrating our 40 year anniversary later this year! We hope to fund a brand new events programme and start a new chapter for (at least) the next 40 years!
Here's a breakdown of what the money raised will go towards:
- Up to £10,000 - The Essentials. This will go towards the necessities of what we need to create a new bookshop from scratch: a new till counter, carpet, shelving units, furniture, fixtures and fittings.
- Up to £20,000 - Really helpful! This will go towards covering staff costs and losses made by being forced to move premises during what is traditionally our busy period. We have had to turn down several events and other bookings due to having to prepare for our move in May, June and July.
- Up to £30,000 - Amazing! We will be able to decorate our new shop and put new shelving and display ideas into place, new signage, lighting, and a brand new stock control system that will allow us to revolutionise our bookshop.
- Up to £40,000 - Stupendous!! This is the exciting bit, where we can plan an exciting events programme to properly celebrate our 40 year anniversary of being a bookshop. Expect author events, special offers and a 40th anniversary party!
We would be enormously grateful for any amount you can spare to help us reach our target of £40,000 for 40 years.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made